great granola goes pumpkin

Have you ever noticed how expensive good granola can be? It’s like $5 for a small bag, but once you see just how easy and affordable homemade granola is, you won’t buy it ever again. I promise.

This pumpkin, cranberry and golden raisin granola is based on staples you probably already have in the kitchen, so whip up a batch of this healthy fall treat right away! Be ready to fend off the moochers or better yet, make a double batch. I see another batch in my very near future as the Prince clan with be fighting over what’s left very soon.

I feel like a meanie telling the girls they can’t have all the processed junky stuff at Halloween, but they both loved this treat and called it candy. I’ll take that as a compliment.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups oatmeal

1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1 1/2 tablespoons ground flax seed

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 cup plus1 tablespoon pure maple syrup

1 tablespoon turbinado sugar

1/2 tsp organic vanilla extract

1/4 cup pumpkin puree (canned or fresh)

1/4 cup dried cranberries

1/4 cup golden raisins

1/4 cup hulled pumpkin seeds (pepitas)

Method:

preheat oven to 315 degrees. in a large bowl, mix dry ingredients ( oats though salt). in a small bowl, stir wet ingredients together until smooth. gradually add wet mixture to dry, stirring continually. once combined, add cranberries, raisins and pepitas. spread in a single layer on non-stick cookie sheet. bake for 10 minutes, then stir. bake an additional 15-20 minutes or just until lightly browned.

Seriously, isn’t that simple? I will be making a big batch of this to send to friends and family, a healthy treat that also travels well is perfect for gifting!